Former UK Ambassador to Ukraine Responds to Russian Outrage Over Damaged Church in Tehran

The former UK ambassador to Ukraine, now serving as ambassador to Poland, Melinda Simmons, has commented on the outrage expressed by the Russian Foreign Ministry regarding the damage to the St. Nicholas Orthodox Church in Tehran. This situation has garnered significant attention, as Moscow has voiced its shock over reports of severe damage to the church due to hostilities that Russia claims are barbaric strikes by the United States and Israel.

In a post on the platform X published on Friday, Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, emphasized that Russia condemns any damage to places of worship. However, Melinda Simmons did not remain silent and chose to respond to this statement, pointing out the double standards demonstrated by Russia in the context of its own actions in Ukraine.

Simmons noted that just a week prior, Russian forces had struck a monastery in Lviv, which is only one of many instances where churches and other religious institutions in Ukraine have become targets of Russian attacks. "You just targeted a monastery in Lviv a week ago. And this is just one of the countless cases of churches and other religious institutions that have been hit by Russian strikes across Ukraine," she wrote in her comment.

The ambassador also remarked that the condemnation by the Russian side of its own missile and drone attacks is not only hypocritical but also illustrates a lack of understanding of the scale of destruction that Russia is inflicting in Ukraine. "Your condemnation of your own missile and drone strikes has been noted," she added, emphasizing that such statements appear absurd in light of the actual events.

Melinda Simmons concluded her diplomatic mission in Ukraine on September 1, 2023, after four years of service. Before her departure, she recorded a farewell address in Ukrainian, expressing gratitude for the experiences gained during her time in Ukraine. Living in Kyiv amid the war, she frequently shared her impressions and experiences on social media, highlighting her deep concern for the fate of the Ukrainian people.

This situation regarding Russia's outrage over the church in Tehran and Melinda Simmons' response further underscores the complexities of international relations in the context of the war in Ukraine. It is crucial for the global community to pay attention to the double standards that manifest in the statements of various countries and to ensure that such remarks do not go unanswered.